More than 100 firefighters have been battling a huge fire at a high rise tower block near Canary Wharf, which is thought to still be covered in the same type of cladding used on Grenfell Tower.
20 fire engines were on the scene of the blaze this morning (May 7) at New Providence Wharf in Poplar.
Images and footage on social media showed thick clouds of smoke billowing from the side of the high rise block as firefighters have been setting up ladders to reach higher levels.
It is understood that all flats within the building were evacuated.
Breaking: Emergency crews in some 20 fire engines are at the scene in New Providence Wharf, near Canary Wharf, after the blaze broke out this morning.
— Afshin Rattansi (@afshinrattansi) May 7, 2021
The building is believed to be covered in ACM cladding, the same type used on Grenfell Tower, which went up in flames in 2017. pic.twitter.com/Sk92DLhfaI
Residents took to social media suggesting that the building is still covered with the same ACM cladding used on Grenfell Tower, which was found to be unsafe.
Canary Wharf ward councillor Andrew Wood tweeted that it was "very lucky" firefighters could reach high enough to tackle the flames.
He added: "As you can see fire spread up outside of New Providence Wharf Very lucky that @LondonFire ladders could reach high enough to put water on the fire from outside.
"Their ladders go up to around 40 meters. Tallest new residential tower in the area 239 meters."
London Fire Brigade said in a statement: "Twenty fire engines and around 125 firefighters have been called to a fire at a block of flats on Fairmont Avenue in Poplar.
"Firefighters are tackling a blaze at a 19-storey block. Parts of the eighth, ninth and 10th floors are alight.
"The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers have taken 13 calls to the fire.
"The Brigade was called at 0855. Fire crews from Poplar, Millwall, Shadwell, Plaistow, Whitechapel and surrounding fire stations are at the scene.
"The cause of the fire is not known at this stage."
UPDATE 12.45pm: London Fire Brigade has confirmed the fire is now under control - two men have been taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation
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